Certainly!
... and going for the natural route as far as epidurals are concerned, any well women, gives herself the best chance of not increasing the risk of further interventions such as; augmentation of labour by oxytocin, constant fetal monitoring, fetal distress, instrumental delivery, and emergency c-section.
... these medical interventions all have there place and time.. but should be reserved and not routinely available.
Best outcomes are also usually achieved where a women has continuous support in labour, which provides:
Emotional support, Informational support, physical support and Advocacy.
For me being at home where I couldn't have an epidural and have continous support (My partner or my MW wouldn't leave me) was not only a personal choice, but one that was sound evidence and the sensible option with how I was presenting and my level of comfort.
As well as the consideration, my local hospital having some above average c-section rates (just under 1 in 3 women who walk through the doors, and only a 55% normalcy rates - that is women having vaginal births, rather than deliveries, without medical assistance.. where it should be 20% and 80% respectively)
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